Why the title "There is a better way"?

Well here I am. My first blog! This is something I've wanted to do for years, but FINALLY it has come to pass. Where's the champagne?!
I guess for my first post I should at least explain why I chose this title for my blog.
When I was a boy of 9 or 10 years old, my family lived in St. Louis, MO. A large bank there called Boatman's Bank was running an extensive marketing campaign during that time. At the end of each of their commercials there was a tag line that was sung. It was female voice simply singing the words, "There is a better way". The idea of there being a better way of doing things infatuated me. What if I looked at life that way? Well, that's pretty much been a theme of my life since. I tend to look at any situation with an attitude of:
"There is a better way... now, let's find it!"
-JBenjamin

Friday, January 11, 2008

the joys of moving.....ugh!

Well today is my last day in my wonderful loft apartment in downtown Elkhart. I will miss it. It is an 120 year old building full of character and windows. It has issues, but I still love it. I have enjoyed living downtown. It has always been a dream of mine and I guess I can now mark it off of my list of things I want to do before I die. Maybe a "Bucket List"...hmmmm....I need to see that movie.

As you know, when you move you discover just how much "stuff" you have. It also makes me wish I were MUCH more organized! I'm so good at organizing other people's lives and businesses, but somehow my own stuff still ends up being quite unorganized. Moving only magnifies it. Having said that, I am much more orgaized than I was years ago, but I want more. This brings me to the question that my dear life coach Gloria Swardenski asked me once long ago:

"When you are organized, what will it look like?" and "How will you know?"

Those questions have helped me bring better definition to my quest for organization. Sometimes we have this desire for a vague sense of something we want. It is often defined by what we see in other's. We look at our house and office and think.... "I have GOT to be more organized." So we shuffle a few things around and then move on. Then the whole scenario repeats itself over and over again. Then the guilt and shame begins. So why not take a moment and think about those two questions. Define your organization. Celebrate each move in that direction. Most importantly, remember that there are no rights or wrongs in what organization is. Do what works for you. Forget what your neighbor or coworker does. It only matters what is working for you!

Now, pardon me, I must go get organized.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Change is not a dirty word

"I learned that change is guaranteed. Whatever you see today will be gone tomorrow, and those who succeed are the ones that embrace change and don't reject it."
--Bruce Gordon


Chew on that one today!

Friday, January 4, 2008

Long Term Vision


During the day I work for 88.1 WVPE Public Radio here in Elkhart. http://www.wvpe.org/ I receive a weekly "pointer" e-mail from American Public Media http://www.apmstations.org/. This week I received the following pointer. I thought of you and wanted to share it.

"To achieve the results you truly desire, you have to know what success looks like. Sometimes embracing that vision is hard to do in the heat of the day. Try doing a visualization exercise where you actually pay a visit to yourself in 20 years. Ask yourself to notice where you live, what you are wearing, who is with you. Any surprises? Afterword, think about what actions you might be taking right now that put you on the path to that future. "

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments!

Turn it up!




Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there."
--Bernice Fitz-Gibbon, member, Advertising Hall of Fame




Why don't you crank up the volume today?

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

2008

Happy new year! Another exciting year ahead of us. Just remember its all about the journey, not the destination.

Make it a GREAT 2008!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

What do you say to taking chances?

What do you say to taking chances?
What do you say to jumping off the edge

Never knowing if there's solid ground below
or a hand to hold
or hell to pay?

What do you say?
What do you say?

Kara DioGuardi / David A. Stewart
As Performed by Celine Dion

I've been finding great inspiration in these words. Maybe its time to take some chances... whatd'ya say?


http://www.kovideo.net/music/video/Celine-Dion---Taking-Chances/2151.html


http://www.celinedion.com/


Sunday, December 9, 2007

Extreme Makeover Home Edition... the best stuff on TV!


I just can't watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition without getting emotional. I get tears in my eyes every time! I love the show because it makes me realize how much I have to be thankful for. It also exposes me to wonderful people around the country who are striving to make a difference in their world despite the obstacles around them. If you haven't watched the show before, don't prejudge it as just another reality show.
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=index

Tonight's episode featured the family responsible for Angel Boy Art.

http://www.angelboyart.com/

What's holding you back?